Davies plans Europe gift for Scarlets

Departing centre Jonathan Davies wants to finish his time with the Scarlets on a high by securing European rugby for next season.

Departing centre Jonathan Davies wants to finish his time with the Scarlets on a high by securing European rugby for next season.

The Scarlets face the Blues at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday with time running out, as Davies and his side target a top six finish.

That would qualify them for next season's Rugby Champions Cup, the new European competition that will feature seven teams from the Pro12.

With one spot guaranteed to best team from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, the remaining teams will be left to scrap it out in the race to accumulate enough points to qualify for the competition.

Davies will play in the competition with Clermont next season, but wants to make sure the Scarlets are playing top-level rugby.

"The bigger picture isn't safe yet and we have got three derbies to finish the season," Davies told WalesOnline.

"It's an opportunity, hopefully, to get some results. It's going to be tough few games but we need to make sure we finish the season on a high and secure that sixth spot because it's vitally important.

"We haven't been at our best the last two weeks. Defensively, we've leaked seven tries in our last two games and that is hugely disappointing.

"Simon Easterby (coach) puts an awful lot into our defence and we just need to be sharper without the ball.

"When we get turned over, we need to be quicker to react. It's down to the players really to make sure they deliver those standards.

"The coaches do their job but it's down to the group of senior players we have to make sure the boys stay focused as well.

"Even though we're not playing for any silverware, we need to make sure we finish sixth.

"I mentioned to the players, after the Glasgow game, there's an opportunity to win five on the bounce, with four home games and one at the Millennium Stadium. We're a good team and we have to finish things on a good note.

"We wanted to be pushing for the top four but that can't be done. To make the top six from where we were would be half decent.

"It's crucial the Scarlets are in that competition next year alongside the big guns of Europe.

"Everyone talks about the Heineken and those were the weekends you wanted to play for the Scarlets.

"I have had some really good moments in that Cup and for them to be in that competition is something they deserve."